The Blog - Brittany Lanza, The story of military spouse -...

Britt Lanza is a military spouse on a mission! She is a business and community guide, host of the Moments with an MEO podcast, and MEO (Military Spouse CEO) of New Altitudes where she helps burnt out military spouses create and scale their new business or business idea so they can redefine their identity and take back control of their life. She has a knack for storytelling and is inspiring fellow military spouses through interviews with influential members of the community. In short, she is making things happen for military spouse entrepreneurs. Say hello to my friend Britt Lanza!

GIVE US A BEHIND-THE-SCENES PEEK AT YOU AND YOUR FAMILY – HOW DID YOU BECOME A MILITARY SPOUSE (MILSPOUSE)? WHAT DO YOU DO IN ADDITION TO BEING A MILSPOUSE? AND A FUN FACT ABOUT YOUR MILITARY FAMILY?

Nick, my husband and USAF service member, deployed to Afghanistan one month after we got married in 2019. He left before I could fully process being a military spouse, I didn’t have an ID card to get on base, and I didn’t know any other military spouses. At the time, I thought a deployment was going to be just like a long distance relationship, which I had done in college once. Turns out, it’s a lot harder than that, especially when it’s to the middle east.

Nick came home just one month before the world shut down due to the pandemic of 2020. He went from one locked-down situation to another, and the reintegration process was extremely challenging. Due to that rough transition, as well as being stuck in a one-bedroom apartment together for 8 months after being very independent beforehand, led to a lot of arguments and resentment on both of our parts that we weren’t prepared for.

I actually started my podcast, Moments with an MEO, because I was searching for answers to questions I couldn’t answer myself about this lifestyle. I am so glad I did too, because it led to creating the incredible community we now have over on the New Altitudes Instagram account.

I am a full-time business coach for military spouses looking to create or expand their new business or business idea. I am also the host of the Moments with an MEO podcast. In my free time, I love to spend time on hiking trails with my dogs or going to baseball games with my husband.

WHICH MILITARY BRANCH DOES YOUR SPOUSE SERVE IN AND FOR HOW MANY YEARS HAS HE SERVED?

Nick has been part of the USAF for the last 8 years. He was active duty until last year, when he came home from Afghanistan, he switched to being a full time reservist.

WHERE HAS THE MILITARY MOVED YOUR FAMILY OVER THE YEARS? WHICH WAS YOUR FAVORITE DUTY STATION AND WHY?

We have always been at Davis Monthan! This was Nick’s first duty station, and while the joke around here is DM = Don’t Move, we love it here and are thankful to be here so long. It’s the perfect place to be if you love being outdoors.

WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE THING ABOUT BEING A MILITARY SPOUSE? TELL US SOMETHING THAT YOU HAVE LEARNED OR HAS MADE YOU STRONGER BECAUSE YOU ARE A MILSPOUSE?

At first, I was truly discouraged from being a “milso”. I heard “dependa” so often as a joke, that I didn’t want to be part of the community. It wasn’t until I started the podcast to learn what it really was about that I discovered how unique and inspiring the community members are.

Each military spouse is so incredibly unique and most are friendly and genuine. I learned to lean on other spouses whenever I needed help or had a question. It’s hard to ask for help, but I am so thankful I do lean on my community. I love the diversity of the community as well; it is so inspiring to be part of such an eclectic group of people.

WHO INSPIRES YOU AND WHY?

So many people inspire me, but truly the most inspiring person to me is my dad. A USCG veteran, he is also an entrepreneur and a dedicated and loyal worker. Growing up, my dad worked over 80 hours a week to provide for his four kids, and he truly taught me the power of selfless giving and my work ethic. I know many entrepreneurs would be so glad to hear that I truly learned a lot from my dad, and his entrepreneurial spirit has passed to me and I don’t take it lightly. He continues to work hard for goals and ideas and he’s always looking for that next “thing”. I like being on the hunt with him.

WHICH CHARLIEMADISON EVERYDAY REMINDER DO YOU WEAR ON YOUR WRIST AND WHY DID YOU CHOOSE THAT PARTICULAR BRACELET?

I have the Milspo Pride Air Force mini bracelet. I love the unique blue stones and it pairs beautifully with my outfits. The white is so classy and really is a beautiful addition to my jewelry collection!

Shop Britt's Bracelet

WHAT DO YOU DO TO STAY CONNECTED TO WHAT MATTERS MOST, DESPITE THE UNCERTAINTY, FREQUENT MOVES, AND DEPLOYMENTS THAT GO ALONG WITH BEING A MILITARY FAMILY?

I created an online community for this very reason; no matter where I go, where the military takes us or how long my spouse is gone, I can rest assured I never go through anything big like that first deployment alone again. I made sure I had a community where no matter where I go, they get to come with me. It’s a joy to watch other spouses online go through things we never will, or haven’t yet experienced.

WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE TO A FELLOW MILITARY SPOUSE WHO IS STRUGGLING WITH MILITARY LIFE OR DEPLOYMENT?

It does get better, but you have to make the step first. I think we often hope others will see us silently struggling and reach out a hand to us, so we don’t have to ask for help. But I want to encourage you to reach out your hand first; ask for help.

It’s never too late either. But to wait until someone notices you may take a long time. Help yourself by asking for help from your community. While it is scary at first, you will truly be shocked at how your community shows up and supports you.

WE HAPPEN TO BE QUOTE LOVERS AROUND HERE – CAN YOU SHARE A FAVORITE QUOTE THAT KEEPS YOU INSPIRED?

To learn is to be.

To be is to sing the earth’s song

And walk the path to become

Whole people.

Let us touch, let us listen.

Let us be the gift to the other.

Let our gifts and our spirits ride

In our hearts and minds

And give us the strength to complete

The great circle.

Do not be afraid to be –--

Differences teach.

Do not be afraid to sing your hearts

Song to the earth with honor

And love.

Walk gently.

Sing loudly.

Teach,”

– Lone Wolf

This quote, or poem, actually was given to my dad on his graduation day from high school, from a professor who was much like a dad to him. My dad was gifted an empty book with this single quote in it, to collect quotes of his own, and when I graduated from high school, my dad gave me an empty journal to fill as well, with this poem in it. I fully believe it represents what I am trying to do in this world. I love it and this journal is very personal to me. Thanks for letting me share it!